DescriptionJohn Mahelm Berry Sill's role as the American Minister to Korea (1894-1897) is one of controversy. He has been described as weak, ineffective, and reluctant by some and as independent, proactive, and alert by others, depending on the researcher. He served during an extremely turbulent period of Korean history, a span of time that encompassed the Sino-Japanese War, the Gabo Reforms, the murder of the Korean queen, and King Gojong's subsequent refuge in the Russian legation. While this book does utilize some diplomatic despatches, it generally relies upon the personal correspondences between the Sills in Korea and their family in the United States. These letters provide a candid view of life in not only the American community in Seoul, but also in the Russian legation, where King Gojong and the crown prince sought refuge following the murder of Queen Min. The letters also give evidence of the rumors and speculation that plagued the daily lives of not only the Western community in Seoul but the Korean community as well. Table of Contents Preface Part One 1894Chapter One The BeginningChapter Two The Arrival in KoreaChapter Three The Prelude to WarChapter Four The Months of WarChapter Five The First Winter Part Two 1895Chapter Six Trouble with SoldiersChapter Seven The Problems with ReformsChapter Eight From the Mouths of BabesChapter Nine Unmentionable ScandalsChapter Ten The FallenChapter Eleven Picnics and ExcursionsChapter Twelve Life at the LegationChapter Thirteen The MissionariesChapter Fourteen Cholera: The Rat GodChapter Fifteen A Trip to JapanChapter Sixteen The Murder of the QueenChapter Seventeen The Return to Korea Part Three 1896Chapter Eighteen A New Year, a Year of LossesChapter Nineteen Life at the Russian LegationChapter Twenty Fears and Russian Military AdvisorsChapter Twenty-One Social Functions in a Time of UnrestChapter Twenty-Two The Great Rainy SeasonChapter Twenty-Three The Second Leave of AbsenceChapter Twenty-Four The Last Christmas The Finale Bibliography